Kids Get Free Digital Magazines at the Library

Today Forsyth County Public Library is expanding its partnership with digital magazine provider Flipster and will begin offering 16 new magazine titles exclusively for children.

“Flipster has been incredibly popular,” says Stephen Kight, Assistant Director for Public Services. “Our adult patrons have completed over 14,000 downloads and online views since Flipster launched in September 2014 and we expect that our youngest patrons will also enjoy reading digital magazines with Flipster for Kids.”

Launching Flipster for Kids at the start of the summer may also prove successful, especially considering efforts parents, teachers, and librarians are making to encourage kids to continue reading over the summer break.

There are a variety of subjects covered in Flipster for Kids, says Kight. “Click, Cricket, Ladybug, Ranger Rick, Ranger Rick, Jr., Spider, Zoobies, and Zootles are in the collection, so preschoolers and early elementary school students can view pictures and age-appropriate articles on art, science, wildlife, and culture, as well as reading short stories and poems.”

“We have also purchased Flipster digital subscriptions to Ask, Boys Life, Cobblestone, Dig Into History, Discovery Girls, Faces, Sports Illustrated Kids, and Zoobooks recommended for ages 6 and up so older elementary school students have additional choices in reading about history, adventure, applied science, and sports,” says Kight.

Patrons can use their library card to access Flipster for Kids. They can view a web-based version of a magazine or download a magazine via the Flipster app for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets.

Patrons do not need to be inside a library branch to access the service, so families will find it easy to “pack” their digital magazines on vacations, picnics, or short trips around town. With automatic expirations and returns, young patrons – and their parents – will not have to worry about late fees. When the borrowing period ends, the title will simply disappear from the patron’s account and the Flipster app, if used. If additional reading time is needed, patrons may log back into their Library account to check out the item again.

To browse the selection of magazines available in Flipster or Flipster for Kids and check out a digital magazine, please visit www.forsythpl.org.